Shift’s About to Go Down...
Nursing isn’t all scrubs and stethoscopes—it’s grit, guts, and stories that need telling. Shift Happens brings you the unfiltered side of healthcare, hosted by MNU’s Darlene Jackson and Brandi Johnson. It’s raw, it’s real, and it’s the podcast where nurses take centre stage.
As MNU heads into AGM season, Brandi and Darlene wrap up Season 2 of Shift Happens with a focused conversation on what it actually means to be a union activist — and why that role belongs to every member.
Activism isn’t limited to rallies or big moments. It’s sending an email about a workplace concern. Completing a survey. Documenting unsafe conditions. Showing up to a Local meeting. Sharing a campaign. Serving on a committee. Some actions are visible. Many are behind the scenes. All of them strengthen our collective voice.
This episode highlights what happens when nurses refuse to accept unsafe or unfair conditions as normal. From sustained advocacy around workplace safety, to member-driven change, to persistent pressure for improvements, progress began with nurses speaking up and backing one another.
Activism isn’t one-size-fits-all. You don’t have to do everything. You just have to do something.
About MNU
Manitoba Nurses Union (MNU) represents more than 13,000 nurses across the province, advocating for fair wages, better working conditions, and quality patient care. Since 1975, MNU has been a bold voice for nurses, providing support and pushing for a stronger healthcare system. Learn more at manitobanurses.ca (https://www.manitobanurses.ca/).
Submit a thank-you message for That Good Shift: https://shifthappenspod.ca/contact/ (https://shifthappenspod.ca/contact/)
Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/manitobanurses/ (https://www.instagram.com/manitobanurses/)
Follow us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ManitobaNurses (https://www.facebook.com/ManitobaNurses)
Shift Happens is an MNU podcast, hosted by Darlene Jackson and Brandi Johnson. The show is produced and edited by Chynna Hill. Special thanks to Jane Chartrand for our show art and branding. Music and SFX on the show are produced by Ty Kiddo (https://www.instagram.com/tykiddomusic/ (https://www.instagram.com/tykiddomusic/)).
5 Feb 2026
On the Road With MNU
In this episode of Shift Happens, our co-hosts talk about what Darlene’s been hearing on her President’s Tour across Manitoba’s health regions.
Darlene talks about the value of being physically present in nurses’ workplaces, making time for direct, face-to-face conversations, and staying grounded in the day-to-day realities of the profession. For nurses, these visits are a meaningful opportunity to connect with their union leadership in their own communities, ask questions, share perspectives, and see how their experiences inform the work happening at the provincial level.
These conversations continue to shape advocacy at MNU, ensuring member voices are reflected in the union’s priorities and pressure on decision-makers. Because effective representation starts with showing up.
If you’re a member and want to get in touch with Darlene, send an email to mnupresident@manitobanurses.ca (mailto:mnupresident@manitobanurses.ca).
About MNU
Manitoba Nurses Union (MNU) represents more than 13,000 nurses across the province, advocating for fair wages, better working conditions, and quality patient care. Since 1975, MNU has been a bold voice for nurses, providing support and pushing for a stronger healthcare system. Learn more at manitobanurses.ca (https://www.manitobanurses.ca/).
Submit a thank-you message for That Good Shift: https://shifthappenspod.ca/contact/ (https://shifthappenspod.ca/contact/)
Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/manitobanurses/ (https://www.instagram.com/manitobanurses/)
Follow us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ManitobaNurses (https://www.facebook.com/ManitobaNurses)
Shift Happens is an MNU podcast, hosted by Darlene Jackson and Brandi Johnson. The show is produced and edited by Chynna Hill. Special thanks to Jane Chartrand for our show art and branding. Music and SFX on the show are produced by Ty Kiddo (https://www.instagram.com/tykiddomusic/ (https://www.instagram.com/tykiddomusic/)).
22 Jan 2026
Making Sense of Misinformation
Every week, there’s a new headline saying healthcare is improving. But for nurses, the story feels very different.
In this episode of Shift Happens, Brandi and Darlene are joined by Michelle Lark, MNU’s in-house researcher, to break down how data gets used to shape public perception and why that matters. They dig into how cherry-picking data can distort reality, and why context is the difference between information and spin.
This is a conversation about how to question the data you’re being shown, understand the story it’s trying to tell, and hold decision-makers to account.
About MNU
Manitoba Nurses Union (MNU) represents more than 13,000 nurses across the province, advocating for fair wages, better working conditions, and quality patient care. Since 1975, MNU has been a bold voice for nurses, providing support and pushing for a stronger healthcare system. Learn more at manitobanurses.ca (https://www.manitobanurses.ca/).
Submit a thank-you message for That Good Shift: https://shifthappenspod.ca/contact/ (https://shifthappenspod.ca/contact/)
Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/manitobanurses/ (https://www.instagram.com/manitobanurses/)
Follow us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ManitobaNurses (https://www.facebook.com/ManitobaNurses)
Shift Happens is an MNU podcast, hosted by Darlene Jackson and Brandi Johnson. The show is produced and edited by Chynna Hill. Special thanks to Jane Chartrand for our show art and branding. Music and SFX on the show are produced by Ty Kiddo (https://www.instagram.com/tykiddomusic/ (https://www.instagram.com/tykiddomusic/)).
Who has been a guest on Shift Happens
Names identified in recent episode analyses. Showing up to five guests.
Dr Kim McMillan
Tara
Dr Katherine Brewer
Mandee
Tom Stamatakis
Reach and audience
Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.
YouTube views
6,084,815
Score snapshot 15 Sept 2025
Spotify
5.0 / 5
14 ratings
Podcast Authority Score: 47 / 100
A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.
Quality
36
Social presence
0
YouTube
93
Engagement
51
Contact Shift Happens
Guest appearances
Books guests
Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.
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